Container closure apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for securing covers over the upper rim of an open top container wherein the rim of each container is defined by an outwardly projecting bead and each cover is provided with a marginal flange includes cornering dies movable toward and away from the corners of the container along fixed lines of travel diagonally of the corners of the container effective to tuck the cover flange into underlying engagement with the bead of the container.

United States Patent [191 Logemann et al.

[4 1 Jan.23, 1973 CONTAINER CLOSURE APPARATUS Inventors: George H.Logemann, Mundelein, 111.; Gerhardt G. Voelz, Jr., Elk Grove Village,111.

Assignee: EKCO Products, Inc., Wheeling,

Filed: April 1, 1971 Appl. No.: 130,389

US. Cl ..53/329, 53/344 Int. Cl. ..B65b 7/28 Field of Search ..53/287,326, 353, 346, 331,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1966 Cheeley et a1. ..53/378 XPowell ..53/184 2,928,222 3/1966 Lindstaedt ..53/297 3,017,729 1/1962Cheeley ....53/134 X 2,975,574 3/1961 Jorgenson et a1 ..53/287 PrimaryExaminer-'1ravis S. McGehee Assistant Examiner-Horace M. CulverAttorney-Robert D. Teichert and Donald J. Koprowski [57] ABSTRACT Anapparatus for securing covers over the upper rim of an open topcontainer wherein the rim of each container is defined by an outwardlyprojecting bead and each cover is provided with a marginal flangeincludes cornering dies movable toward and away from the corners of thecontainer along fixed lines of travel diagonally of the corners of thecontainer effective to tuck the cover flange into underlying engagementwith the bead of the container.

12 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAH23 I975 SHEEI 1 BF 5PATENIEDJAH 23 I575 SHEET 2 BF 5 YIIIIIII. lll'l rllllllln IllPATENTEDJAH 2 3197s sum 5 0F 5 CONTAINER CLOSURE APPARATUS BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION This invention relates to packaging apparatus and moreparticularly to a machine for applying a formed cover to an open-topcontainer.

A package of the type with which the present invention is concernedincludes a container of any desired depth and size made out of thinaluminum foil or plastic having a rim defined by an outwardly projectingbead. After a product, such as a pre-cooked frozen food product, hasbeen placed in the container, a formed cover having a marginal flange isplaced on the container and secured thereto by tucking the flangeinwardly beneath the bead of the container. It is desirable to apply andsecure the cover to the container while the container is movingcontinuously in a straight line on a conveyor.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improvedapparatus for continuously applying and securing lids to containersconveyed at a constant rate in a straight line.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing acover securing apparatus of my invention in place on a machine forcompletely packaging a product.

FIG. la is a perspective view of a container of the type with which theinvention is concerned in place on a conveyor, and a corresponding covertherefor.

FIG. lb is a perspective view of the container showing tuckers wipingthe corners of a cover flange into closing relationship with thecontainer.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the cover securingapparatus, partially cutaway.

FIG. 2a is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2a-2a of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a top plane view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a plan view, partially cross-sectioned, taken along line 9-9of FIG. 8.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing is accomplished by the provisionof an apparatus having cornering dies or tuckers which are movabletoward and away from the corners of a container along fixed lines oftravel diagonally on the corners of the container whereby the tuckersare effective to tuck the cover flange into underlying engagement withthe bead of the container. The tuckers are mounted on a die plate whichis reciprocably movable both horizontally and vertically effective toenable the tuckers to move along with a container as it moves on theconveyor and to then move upwardly, backwardly and downwardly to engagethe next following container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION cover 28 in closing relationshipto container 20. Flange I 30 terminates in a downwardly extending skirt32 which is adapted to be tucked into underlying engagement with bead 26of container 20. The corners between each side wall 22 and end wall 24are indicated by the reference numeral 34 and the corresponding cornersof cover 28 by the numeral 34'.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings there is shown anapparatus for so securing a cover 28 in closing relationship tocontainer 20 including a frame 36 adapted to support a conveyor 38 andother mechanisms hereinafter described. Frame 36 may be of any suitableconstruction providing the necessary strength, rigidity and support forthe several mechanisms and preferably is constructed from standardstructural shapes such as straps, angles, and channels all formed from asuitable material, preferably steel. The members are suitably securedtogether, as by welding to provide the desired rigidity of the frame 36.

Conveyor 38 is adapted to transport containers 20 along a fixed line oftravel continuously in one direction (left to right as shown in FIG. 1)with two opposite sides (preferably those of longest dimension) of eachcontainer 20 parallel to the direction of movement. The conveyor 38includes a pair of endless con-' veyor elements, preferably chains 40which pass over pairs of aligned sprockets 42 and 44 carried on shafts46 and 48 journaled in bearings mounted in frame 36.

The conveyor 38 is driven at a constant speed by suitable means such asan electric motor 50 connected to sprocket 52 which drives chain 54trained around sprocket 56 which is secured to and thereby drives shaft48.

Conveyor 38 is provided with carriers 58 for supporting a plurality ofcontainers 20 which are secured to chains 40 in spaced relationthroughout the length of the chains 40. Each of the carriers 58 includesa plurality of flat segmented bars 60 which support the bottom of thecontainer 20 and a pair of locator plates 62 secured to the end bar 60on each carrier 58 which prevent longitudinal movement of the container20 in relation to conveyor 38. Preferably the plates 62 are inclinedoutwardly as shown, substantially parallel to the end walls 24 of thecontainers. Stationary guide bars 64 prevent lateral displacement of thecontainer on the carrier and are so located as not to interfere with theplacing of items into the containers or the application of the cover 28.

Located at successive points along and in overhead relation to conveyor38 are a container depositor 66, a container filler 68 and a coverdepositor 70. Each of these mechanisms may be of types known in the artand are so located and timed with respect to carriers 58 on conveyor 38so as to deposit a single container 20 in a carrier 58, fill thecontainer 20 with a desired amount of its intended contents, and deposita cover 28 on the filled container as the container 20 passes belowrespectively the mechanisms 66, 68 and 70.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a cover securingapparatus at a point along the conveyor 38 just beyond the coverdepositor 70 which is generally designated by the numeral 72, and shownin greater detail in FIGS. 2 through 8.

The apparatus 72 includes a main frame 73 which is secured by suitablemeans such as bolting to frame 36. As will be explained hereinafter,secured to frame 73 are elements of the apparatus that are movablerespectively vertically, horizontally both along with and opposite tothe direction of travel of conveyor 38, and diagonally of the corners 34of the container 20 to which a cover 28 is to be secured.

To activate these elements in the above manner, drive chain 74 passesaround sprocket 75 (not actually shown, but would be located behindsprocket 56 in FIG. 1) on shaft 48 and sprocket 76 on shaft 77. In turn,the drive force is transferred by chain 78 to sprocket 80 which isfixedly secured to and thereby drives main drive shaft 82 of the coversecuring apparatus 72. This description of the drive transmission isbest shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Cam wheels 84 and 86 are fixedly secured todrive shaft 82 journalled in suitable bearings in bearing housing 87.Drive gear 88 fixedly secured to shaft 82 drives gear 90 on shaft 92.Gear 90a on shaft 92 will rotate along with gear 90. Gears 90 and 90a,drive gears 94 and 94a bolted to studs 96 and 96a and, in turn,sprockets 98 and 98a bolted to studs 96 and 96a are driven along withgears 94 and 94a. Chains 100 and 1000 pass over sprockets 98 and 98a andalso over idler sprockets 99 and 99a.

Disposed between and secured to chains 100 and 100a-substantiallyperpendicular to their line of travel is a bar 102 which extends throughand is rotatable in a circular aperture in yoke 104 which is fastened toa carriage tie rod 106. Secured to the opposite end of tie rod 106 isanother yoke 108 which is rotatably fastened to stud 110 which ismounted in a clevis 112.

A carriage 114 is mounted for reciprocable horizontal sliding movementon a pair of horizontal guide bars 116 set in blocks 117 by means ofbushings 118 encircling guide bars 116. Thus, it can be seen with thedescription this far given that carrier 114 is imparteda reciprocatinghorizontal motion by the action of chains 100 and 100a on bar 102. Moreparticularly, as sprockets 98 and 98a rotate in a clockwise directionchains 100 and 100a will be driven in a clockwise direction. When bar102 is on the upper course of the chains it will be driven forward andthe carriage 114 will be imparted a corresponding forward motion byvirtue of its attachment through the carriage tie rod as-. sembly. Whenbar 102 passes around between sprockets 94 and 94a and begins movingbackwardly on the bottom course of the chains the direction of travel ofcarriage 114 will likewise be reversed. A die plate 120 having supports121 extending upwardly therefrom and supporting bushings 122 is disposedbelow carrier 114. The circular apertures in bushings 122 enable thebushings and thus the die plate 120 to be slidable horizontally inalignment with carriers 114 on guide rods 124 mounted. in blocks 125.Vertical studs 126 bolted to die plate 120 maintain the die plate inalignment with the carrier 114 as they move back and forth horizontallybut at the same time apertures in bushings 128 on carrier 114 allowslidable reciprocating vertical movement of studs 126 and thereby platewith respect to the carrier 114. A cover die 129 adapted to hold cover28 in place during the cover securing process is removably secured toand depends from die plate 114. Preferably the die is of substantiallythe same shape as the cover of the container 20, but slightly smaller inlength and width so that die 129 will nest within the area bordered bythe marginal flange 30 of cover 28. The reciprocating vertical movementof the die plate and die is transmitted to these parts through plates132 to which the mounting blocks are fixedly secured. The reciprocatingvertical motion is provided by means of the cam wheels 84 and 86 which,as stated above, are fixedly secured to main drive shaft 82 with the aidof a keyway arrangement 133. When cam wheels 84 and 86 rotate they drivecam followers 134 which rotate on studs 136 bolted to plates 132. Thecam followers 134 move in cam tracks 138 in cam wheels 84 and 86 therebyimparting reciprocating vertical motion to cam followers 134 and plates132 as the cam wheels rotate. FIG. 2 shows the plates 132 in a loweredposition. As the cam wheels rotate approximately 180 the plates would beraised to an upper position.

As the plates 132 move vertically they are guided by means of aperturesin bushings 139 which are slidable on vertical guide bars 140 which are,in turn, set in mounting blocks 142 fixedly secured to the stationarymain frame 73 as best shown in FIG. 6. Blocks 144 support the bushings139.

While the horizontal and vertical movements of the above parts and theirmovements relative to each other will be described below in greaterdetail I will now move on to the description of the cover tuckingmechanism which moves diagonally of the corners 34 of the container 20to which a cover 28 is to be secured.

The diagonal movement is accomplished by means of spring loaded tuckercams 146 located diagonally outwardly of the corners 34 and 34' ofcontainer 20 and cover 28 respectively as shown best in FIG. 7. Gearracks 148 are bolted or fastened immovably in any suitable manner tostationary plates 73. The tucker cams 146 are fixedly secured towide-faced gears 150 which mesh with racks 148. A stud 152 is bolted toplate 120, allowing rotation of gears 150 and cams 146 on stud 152.Because of the wide face of gears 150, as plate 120, cam 146 and gear150 move vertically as described hereinbefore, gears 150 will constantlyremain meshed with gear racks 148.

All four cams 146 shown in the drawing operate in unison to drive camfollowers 154 which are rotatably mounted on studs 156 which are, inturn, bolted to tucker bars 158. Cornering dies or tuckers 160 arebolted to bars 158 and may be separated therefrom by spacers 162. Tuckerbars 158 are bolted to slide blocks 164 which are slidable on gibs 166.The tuckers 160 and bars 158 are spring loaded inwardly by the action ofsprings 168 which are fixedly disposed between anchors 170 secured todie plates 120 and necks 172 of slide blocks 164.

Each tucker 160 has a closing face 161 which is shaped to conformsubstantially to the contour of the corners 34 of containers 20, and ispreferably inclined from bottom to top of tucker 160 to enable thetucker 160 to progressively wipe the corners 34' of skirt 32 of cover 28into underlying engagement with bead 26 of container 20 at the corners34 thereof.

OPERATION As explained above, a stack of containers 20 is placed in acontainer depositing apparatus 66 and containers 20 are deposited one ata time in each carrier 58 as the conveyor 38 moves at a constant speedwithout stopping in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1. Eachcontainer 20 is then filled with a desired amount of its intendedcontents by filler 68. A cover 28 is placed in position on the rim bead26 of the container 28 and the package is ready for final closing as ittravels into the area occupied by the cover securing apparatus 72.

As described above, carriage 114 is actuated into a reciprocating motionalong with and opposite to the direction of travel of conveyor 38 by theaction of the chains 100 and 100a transmitted to carriage 114 throughcarriage tie rods 106. Cover die 129 is thus also imparted thishorizontal movement by virtue of its fixed attachment to die plate 120which moves horizontally with carriage 114. It should be pointed outthat carriage 114 moves only horizontally and not verti-v cally.

Die plate 120 and cover die 129, however, also move vertically in areciprocating manner between an upper position and a lower position onplates 132 by virtue of the rotating action of cam wheels 84 and 86 oncam followers 134. Thus, plates 132 move only vertically and nothorizontally.

The net effect of these combined horizontal and vertical movements isthat die plate 120 and cover die 129 follow a generally counterclockwisepath when these members are viewed in side elevation, as, for example,in FIG. 2. More particularly, the cams 84 and 86 for vertical motion areso timed with respect to the horizontal motion activated by chains 100and 100a and the travel of containers 20 on conveyor 38, that, when acontainer 20 enters the area beneath the cover securing apparatus 72,the cover die 129 will be lowered to its lower position to nest on thecover 28 of the container 20 within the border of marginal flange 30.The die 129 will then travel forward along with the conveyor and holdthe cover 28 in closing relationship to the container 20 while theflange 30 of cover 28 is being tucked beneath the bead 26 of thecontainer 20. To accomplish the tucking, cams 142 are timed to startmoving diagonally inwardly toward the corners 34 of the container 20just before die 129 reaches its lowest point to engage cover 28. Itshould be appreciated that because the trucker 160 and theiraccompanying cam 142 are also attached to die plate 120, they will movehorizontally and vertically in unison with the die plate 120 and withdie 129. Thus, as the die 129 moves downwardly and approaches cover 28,tucker 160 will have started their inward movement and will beapproaching the corners 34' of cover 28. The downward motion of thetuckers 160 in close relationship to the corners 34' will enable thetuckers 160 to wipe downwardly any part of the flange 30 that mightotherwise interfere with the final lateral closing action of tuckers160. As the container 20 and cover 28 are moving along forwardly inunison with and in engagement with die 129, the tuckers 160 moveinwardly to progressively wipe the corners 34' of skirt 32 of cover 28into underlying engagement with bead 26 of container 20. This action atthe corners of the cover is sufficient to cause the skirt 32 on the endsof cover 28 to be tucked into closing relationship beneath bead 26 atthe end walls 24 of the container 20. In most cases it is alsosufficient to tuck skirt 32 beneath bead 26 along the side walls 22 ofcontainer 20. However, if the type of container to be closed isexcessively long, it may be necessary to provide auxiliary closure rolls174 and 176 beyond the tucking mechanism on each side of conveyor 38 towipe the edges of skirt 32 underneath 26 along the side walls 22 toeffect a satisfactory and complete closure. The rolls are preferablysegmented so as to only engage the portion of skirt 32 that has notalready been wiped inwardly by the action of the tuckers 160. Rolls 174are secured to studs 178 totally mounted in frame 36 and rolls 176 aresecured to shaft 180 also rotatably mounted on frame 36. Rolls 174 and176 are rotated in unison by means of a train of gears 182 and 184mounted on studs 178 and shaft 180. Drive gear 186 mounted on one ofstuds 178 is propelled through a suitable system of gearing or chain(not shown) to drive the rolls. 1

After the tuckers 160 have completed their closing action, the action ofthe cams 146 causes them to begin to withdraw from the corners 34 of thecontainer 20 back toward their outward position. At the same time, theaction of cams 84 and 86 will cause the cover die 129 and the tuckingmechanism to be elevated to their upper position, thus clearing thecontainer 20 and cover 28, and the action of chains and 100a on carriagetie rod 106 then causes the die 129 and the tucking mechanism to movehorizontally in a direction opposite to the direction of travel ofcontainers 20. The cams 84 and 86 cause the die 129 and tuckingmechanism to be lowered into position to intercept the next container 20and the process is repeated.

To accommodate different sizes and shapes of containers it is onlynecessary to change cover die 129 and tuckers and vary the dimensions ofcarriers 58 on conveyor 38.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for securing covers over the upper rim of an open topcontainer having corners wherein said rim of each container is definedby an outwardly projecting bead and each cover is provided with amarginal flange adapted to occupy a position surrounding the areaoccupied by the rim of the container preparatory to establishing saidcover in closing relationship to the container to be associatedtherewith, said apparatus including cornering dies movable substantiallyhorizontally toward and away from the area occupied by the containeralong fixed lines of travel coincident with lines drawn diagonally ofthe corners of the container, and means for operating said corneringdies toward and away from a position effective to tuck said cover flangeinto underlying engagement with said flange of said container, saidmeans for operating each of said cornering dies including a cam and agear concentrically mounted rotatably on a stud, a stationary gear rackengageable with said gear to cause rotation of said gear in onedirection as said cam and said gear move forward horizontally androtation in an opposite direction as said cam and said gear movebackward horizontally; and a cam follower adapted to cooperate with saidcam to move said cornering dies toward and away from a positioneffective to tuck said cover flange into underlying engagement with saidflange of said container.

2. Apparatus for securing covers over the upper rim of an open topcontainer having corners wherein said rim of each container is definedby an outwardly projecting bead and each cover is provided with amarginal flange adapted to occupy a position surrounding the areaoccupied by the rim of the container preparatory to establishing saidcover in closing relationship to the container to be associatedtherewith, said apparatus including cornering dies movable substantiallyhorizontally toward and away from the area occupied by the containeralong fixed lines of travel coincident with lines drawn diagonally ofthe corners of the container, and means for operating said corneringdies toward and away from a position effective to tuck said cover flangeinto underlying engagement with said flange of said container, aconveyor on which said container is transported along a fixed line oftravel at a constant speed in one direction with two opposite sides ofsaid container parallel to the direction of movement of said container,a die plate carrying gears, cams and tuckers first in unison with saidcontainer in a horizontal lowered position to enable said cornering diesto move inwardly in closing relationship with said container and saidcover, then upwardly to clear said container after said cornering dieshave moved outwardly of said container, then horizontally in a raisedposition in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of saidconveyor, and then downwardly into a position to its initial positionwith respect to the next following container on said conveyor,horizontally reciprocable carriage operable to move said die plate inthe direction of travel of the conveyor while said die plate and saidcornering dies are in said lowered working position and in a directionopposite to the direction of travel of the conveyor when said die plateand said cornering dies are in said elevated idle position, a firstendless chain rotating about a first pair of sprockets; a tie roddisposed between said chain and said carrier; and means for rotatablysecuring said tie rod to said chain, whereby said carriage is moved inthe direction of travel of said conveyor when said tie rod securingmeans is moved by said chain in a like direction, and in a directionopposite to the direction of travel of the conveyor when said tie rodsecuring means is moved by said chain in a direction opposite to thedirection of travel of said conveyor.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 including a second endless chainspaced apart from and parallel to said first endless chain, said secondendless chain rotating in unison along with said first endless chain ona'second pair of sprockets each sprocket of said second endless chainbeing spaced apart from each sprocket of said first pair of sprocketsand aligned on a common axis therewith, and wherein said tie rodsecuring means comprises a bar rotatably disposed between said firstendless chain and said second endless chain.

4 Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said gear is of sufficientwidth to enable said gear to remain meshed with said gear rack whilesaid gear moves reciprocably in a vertical direction.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a conveyor on which saidcontainer is transported along a fixed line of travel at a constantspeed in one direction with two opposite sides of said containerparallel to the direction of movement of said container, a die platecarrying gears, cams and tuckers first in unison with said container ina horizontal lowered position to enable said corner dies to moveinwardly in closing relationship with said container and said cover,then upwardly to clear said container after said cornering dies havemoved outwardly of said container, then horizontally in a raisedposition in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of saidconveyor, and then downwardly into its initial position with respect tothe next following container on said conveyor.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said vertical movement of saiddie plate is provided by means of a rotating cam which is operable tomove said die plate and said cornering dies between an elevated idleposition and a lowered working position.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 including a horizontally reciprocablecarriage operable to move said die plate in the direction of travel ofthe conveyor while said die plate and said cornering dies are in saidlowered working position and in a direction opposite to the direction oftravel of the conveyor when said die plate and said cornering dies arein said elevated idle position.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 including a first endless chainrotating about a first pair of sprockets; a tie rod disposed betweensaid chain and said carrier; and means for rotatably securing said tierod to said chain, whereby said carriage is moved in the direction oftravel of said conveyor when said tie rod securing means is moved bysaid chain in a like direction, and in a direction opposite to thedirection of travel of the conveyor when said tie rod securing means ismoved by said chain in a direction opposite to the direction of travelof said conveyor.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 including a second endless chainspaced apart from and parallel to said first endless chain, said secondendless chain rotating in unison along with said first endless chain ona second pair of sprockets each sprocket of said second endless chainbeing spaced apart from each sprocket of said first pair of sprocketsand aligned on a common axis therewith, and wherein said tie rodsecuring means comprises a bar rotatably disposed between said firstendless chain and said second endless chain.

10. Apparatus according to claim 5 including a cover die secured to saiddie plate in underlying relation thereto, said cover die being adaptedto firmly hold said cover of said container in closing position whilesaid cornering dies are operating to tuck said flange into underlyingengagement with said bead of said container.

11. Apparatus according to claim 5 including a roll rotatably mounted ina stationary position on each side of said conveyor to engage saidflange of said cover beneath said rim of said container whereby saidflange along each of said two opposite sides of said container parallelto the direction of movement of said container is more securely tuckedbeneath said rim.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said rolls are segmented soas not to engage said flange at said corners of said cover.

1. Apparatus for securing covers over the upper rim of an open topcontainer having corners wherein said rim Of each container is definedby an outwardly projecting bead and each cover is provided with amarginal flange adapted to occupy a position surrounding the areaoccupied by the rim of the container preparatory to establishing saidcover in closing relationship to the container to be associatedtherewith, said apparatus including cornering dies movable substantiallyhorizontally toward and away from the area occupied by the containeralong fixed lines of travel coincident with lines drawn diagonally ofthe corners of the container, and means for operating said corneringdies toward and away from a position effective to tuck said cover flangeinto underlying engagement with said flange of said container, saidmeans for operating each of said cornering dies including a cam and agear concentrically mounted rotatably on a stud, a stationary gear rackengageable with said gear to cause rotation of said gear in onedirection as said cam and said gear move forward horizontally androtation in an opposite direction as said cam and said gear movebackward horizontally; and a cam follower adapted to cooperate with saidcam to move said cornering dies toward and away from a positioneffective to tuck said cover flange into underlying engagement with saidflange of said container.
 2. Apparatus for securing covers over theupper rim of an open top container having corners wherein said rim ofeach container is defined by an outwardly projecting bead and each coveris provided with a marginal flange adapted to occupy a positionsurrounding the area occupied by the rim of the container preparatory toestablishing said cover in closing relationship to the container to beassociated therewith, said apparatus including cornering dies movablesubstantially horizontally toward and away from the area occupied by thecontainer along fixed lines of travel coincident with lines drawndiagonally of the corners of the container, and means for operating saidcornering dies toward and away from a position effective to tuck saidcover flange into underlying engagement with said flange of saidcontainer, a conveyor on which said container is transported along afixed line of travel at a constant speed in one direction with twoopposite sides of said container parallel to the direction of movementof said container, a die plate carrying gears, cams and tuckers first inunison with said container in a horizontal lowered position to enablesaid cornering dies to move inwardly in closing relationship with saidcontainer and said cover, then upwardly to clear said container aftersaid cornering dies have moved outwardly of said container, thenhorizontally in a raised position in a direction opposite to thedirection of travel of said conveyor, and then downwardly into aposition to its initial position with respect to the next followingcontainer on said conveyor, horizontally reciprocable carriage operableto move said die plate in the direction of travel of the conveyor whilesaid die plate and said cornering dies are in said lowered workingposition and in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of theconveyor when said die plate and said cornering dies are in saidelevated idle position, a first endless chain rotating about a firstpair of sprockets; a tie rod disposed between said chain and saidcarrier; and means for rotatably securing said tie rod to said chain,whereby said carriage is moved in the direction of travel of saidconveyor when said tie rod securing means is moved by said chain in alike direction, and in a direction opposite to the direction of travelof the conveyor when said tie rod securing means is moved by said chainin a direction opposite to the direction of travel of said conveyor. 3.Apparatus according to claim 2 including a second endless chain spacedapart from and parallel to said first endless chain, said second endlesschain rotating in unison along with said first endless chain on a secondpair of sprockets each sprocket of said second endless chain beingspaced apart from each Sprocket of said first pair of sprockets andaligned on a common axis therewith, and wherein said tie rod securingmeans comprises a bar rotatably disposed between said first endlesschain and said second endless chain.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1wherein said gear is of sufficient width to enable said gear to remainmeshed with said gear rack while said gear moves reciprocably in avertical direction.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 1 including aconveyor on which said container is transported along a fixed line oftravel at a constant speed in one direction with two opposite sides ofsaid container parallel to the direction of movement of said container,a die plate carrying gears, cams and tuckers first in unison with saidcontainer in a horizontal lowered position to enable said corner dies tomove inwardly in closing relationship with said container and saidcover, then upwardly to clear said container after said cornering dieshave moved outwardly of said container, then horizontally in a raisedposition in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of saidconveyor, and then downwardly into its initial position with respect tothe next following container on said conveyor.
 6. Apparatus according toclaim 5 wherein said vertical movement of said die plate is provided bymeans of a rotating cam which is operable to move said die plate andsaid cornering dies between an elevated idle position and a loweredworking position.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 5 including ahorizontally reciprocable carriage operable to move said die plate inthe direction of travel of the conveyor while said die plate and saidcornering dies are in said lowered working position and in a directionopposite to the direction of travel of the conveyor when said die plateand said cornering dies are in said elevated idle position.
 8. Apparatusaccording to claim 7 including a first endless chain rotating about afirst pair of sprockets; a tie rod disposed between said chain and saidcarrier; and means for rotatably securing said tie rod to said chain,whereby said carriage is moved in the direction of travel of saidconveyor when said tie rod securing means is moved by said chain in alike direction, and in a direction opposite to the direction of travelof the conveyor when said tie rod securing means is moved by said chainin a direction opposite to the direction of travel of said conveyor. 9.Apparatus according to claim 8 including a second endless chain spacedapart from and parallel to said first endless chain, said second endlesschain rotating in unison along with said first endless chain on a secondpair of sprockets each sprocket of said second endless chain beingspaced apart from each sprocket of said first pair of sprockets andaligned on a common axis therewith, and wherein said tie rod securingmeans comprises a bar rotatably disposed between said first endlesschain and said second endless chain.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 5including a cover die secured to said die plate in underlying relationthereto, said cover die being adapted to firmly hold said cover of saidcontainer in closing position while said cornering dies are operating totuck said flange into underlying engagement with said bead of saidcontainer.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 5 including a roll rotatablymounted in a stationary position on each side of said conveyor to engagesaid flange of said cover beneath said rim of said container wherebysaid flange along each of said two opposite sides of said containerparallel to the direction of movement of said container is more securelytucked beneath said rim.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11 whereinsaid rolls are segmented so as not to engage said flange at said cornersof said cover.